5 luxury watches with outstanding designs

Changing up the material and patterns for a fresh new look

by Charmian Leong /
December 7, 2017

Photo: The Peak

Watchmakers often turn to good old barleycorn or solar guilloche when they want to add some texture to simple dials, but we’ve spotted a few timepieces in 2017 that sport refreshing new patterns and even materials for a dynamic take on watch-face decoration.

1. A. Lange & Sohne’s Little Lange 1 Moon Phase

It’s not often we get to see full guilloche on a Lange 1, and the last time we saw it was in a limited edition series made for the collection’s 20th anniversary three years ago. So the ladies (and the slim-wristed) are lucky that the new Little Lange 1 Moon Phase – a 36.8mm variant of the original Lange 1 Moon Phase – showcases this beautiful dial, and in a pink gold case with white alligator strap.

2. Patek Philippe’s Ref. 4947G-010

The latest subtly updated edition of Patek Philippe’s ladies’ annual calendar, the Ref. 4974G-010, is clad in white gold and given a silvery dial decorated with a double vertical and horizontal satin finish – closely resembling shantung silk. Adding to the femininity of this timepiece are white gold applied numerals, 141 diamonds and an alligator strap in peacock blue. The self-winding Calibre 324 S QA LU gives it a power reserve of 35 to 45 hours.

Officer-type watches have hinged back covers that open to reveal the sapphire crystal caseback, and this one has a hand-guilloche honeycomb motif that matches the one on the dial. The inside of the back cover has hand-engraved beehive and bees, with the insects appearing in a random manner so each piece is unique. The watch uses the automatic L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L and bears the Geneva Seal.

4. Rado’s True Blaze

Its watch face looks like it has been dipped in diamonds, but the Rado True Blaze’s unique dial is actually based on the aesthetic signature of American designer Sam Amoia. Amoia is known for using metal and stone fragments to create intricate textures on his furniture, and has helped Rado re-create that look on a metal dial using a specially developed galvanic process.

5. Corum’s Admiral Ac-One 45

If the nautical pennants and the regatta-derived name weren’t enough to clue you in on Corum‘s yachting ties, the material in the latest series of Admiral watches might. Teak wood, selected for its prevalence in yachts and sailboats, first appeared on the dial of the AC-One 45 Bois in 2015, and has reappeared in a richer, redder hue in 2017’s AC-One 45 Automatic, AC-One 45 Squelette and AC-One 45 Chronograph.